How sunscreen can destroy coral reefs

Always read the label before buying new sunscreen!

New research (Downs et al.,2015) has confirmed now that oxybenzone and other chemicals used in certain sunscreens can kill or cause bleaching in corals. Chumbe Island would like to urge our visitors to carefully consider what sunscreen to use before snorkling in our unqiue and fragile coral reef: recommended are sunscreens with titanium oxide or zinc oxide which are harmless to corals! Please be encourage to also apply sunscreen well in advance and/or to wear a wetsuit/skinsuit instead